New Devil Brad Lukowich needed a ride to his car at the Meadowlands after flying back from Saturday night’s disturbing loss in Pittsburgh.

His Meadowlands reunion tonight with the Islanders, who traded him Thursday, won’t seem half so daunting as getting in that offered auto early Sunday morning. Lou Lamoriello gave Lukowich the lift.

“I was kind of dreading it after losing 6-3,” Lukowich said.

Tales abound of Lamoriello’s wrath after losses, and Lukowich had not been a defensive savior in Pittsburgh.

Lukowich arrived from the Islanders on Thursday, went minus-1 in Friday’s shootout victory in Washington and minus-1 in Pittsburgh Saturday. His weekend was whirlpool as well as whirlwind.

But Lukowich got to ride with Good Cop Lou, more reassuring and instructive than critical.

“He was good, like one of the guys, explaining things,” Lukowich said. “It was like ‘How did you feel?’

“I told him it was tough. I was extremely nervous, and I don’t think I’d been nervous since the playoffs [Tampa’s 2004 Cup winners].”

Lamoriello didn’t debrief Lukowich on how the Islanders have given the Devils such trouble this season. The GM/coach expects the suggestions to come.

“He’ll offer up what he’ll think is constructive. I just want him to play and not worry about other things,” Lamoriello said.

The Islanders have won the last three meetings between the teams, including two shootouts at the Coliseum this month. New Jersey stands 2-3-2 against the Isles this season, and Lamoriello suggested Lukowich was one reason.

“All the games he played against us this year, he was never on for a goal-against,” Lamoriello said.

Lukowich said the Isles are playing their best hockey this season.

“They still believe they can make the playoffs. They text-messaged me the other day, and said, ‘Look. We’re right there,’ ” Lukowich said.

The relative of former Winnipeg Jet Morris Lukowich said his first full practice with the Devils yesterday was just what he needed.

“It was a tough adjustment. They play a very patient game and that doesn’t really sink in until you play,” Lukowich said. “The toughest part was going on the ice and I didn’t really have a practice.

“I’m a defensive guy and I got caught a couple of times. You back off here. It’s intimidating coming into this room, There are some pretty big guys to play against, guys with circles around their names. Now I have that out of the way. Now it’s time to play.”

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Forward Jason Wiemer didn’t arrive from Canada in time for practice yesterday and is not expected to face the Isles tonight . . . Lamoriello said Richard Matvichuk’s ailing back has not shown improvement and would not offer encouragement that he’ll be ready before the playoffs . . . Darren Langdon is out with a groin injury, Lamoriello said.